Program Overview

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The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

The University of Texas Medical Branch offers a comprehensive Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This one-year immersive experience is designed to provide fellows with a dynamic and educational environment, covering all aspects of foot and ankle surgery.

Program Overview

The fellowship program, led by Dr. Vinod Panchbhavi, a world-renowned orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon, aims to maximize educational, research, and teaching opportunities. The program's goal is to develop outstanding foot and ankle surgeons, preparing them for independent practice in academics or the community.

Structure

The program offers one fellowship spot, with the fellow working primarily with Dr. Panchbhavi and Dr. Chen. The fellow will also have the opportunity to work with Dr. Weiss, a third foot and ankle fellowship-trained surgeon who practices sports medicine. The program's structure allows for minimal service obligations, providing the fellow with the freedom to participate in educational cases staffed by any of the three attendings.

Didactics

The program features a comprehensive didactic curriculum, including:

• A Thursday "lunch and learn" session every two weeks, covering topics in foot and ankle surgery
• Indications conference, held weekly, to review case indications and treatment options
• Radiology conference, held five times a year, to discuss foot and ankle MRI reading and review interesting cases
• Journal club, held five times a year, to discuss recent articles from high-quality journals
• Skills workshops, held monthly, to gain exposure to new technologies and hands-on experience with implants
• Research meeting, held every other Wednesday, to discuss new and ongoing research projects
• Weekly department conference, where the fellow can participate in discussions on foot and ankle topics

Research

The program's attending physicians are heavily involved in research, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. The fellow is expected to produce one submittable manuscript during the year, with opportunities to complete more. The department has access to a biomechanical lab, statistician, medical students, and an editor to facilitate research.

Faculty

The program's faculty includes:

• Vinod Kumar Panchbhavi, chief of foot and ankle surgery at UTMB, with expertise in innovative techniques and a strong interest in medical education
• Jie Chen, assistant professor of foot and ankle surgery, with a focus on resident and fellow education
• Bill Weiss, assistant professor of foot and ankle surgery and sports medicine, with expertise in sports foot and ankle injuries and arthroscopic techniques

Why UTMB Foot and Ankle?

The program offers an outstanding educational experience, with:

• Clinical exposure to 500-800 cases per year, covering all aspects of foot and ankle surgery
• A structured teaching curriculum with multiple learning opportunities
• Research opportunities, with access to a biomechanical lab and statistician
• Teaching opportunities, with medical students and residents on service
• Flexibility, with a service-light and education-heavy design
• Location, with a low cost of living and a short commute to the city
• Life-long mentorship, with a strong investment in the fellow's career development

Fellowship Interviews

Interviews for the fellowship program will be held in January 2026.